Ecumenical Work

supporting ecumenical and interfaith engagement

breadcrumb navigation:

Ecumenical

As part of the universal Christian Church, The Salvation Army values its relationships with other churches and welcomes the opportunity to worship, work and witness together. We are also committed to interfaith engagement.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3 - The Bible)

News

The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland are to call people throughout the Territory to a season of United Shared Prayer during Lent in 2018, and specifically from 9th February until Easter Sunday - a period of 52 days. The rationale for the specific number is that the Call to Prayer will be the '52 days with Nehemiah', the time it took him to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem! It will be launched at The Prayer Gathering at Swanwick Conference centre in January 2018 where it will also be the focus at the Prayer gathering in January 2018.

Ecumenical Dialogues

Conversations with the Catholic Church - A report from a series of informal conversations from 2007 to 2012 between representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and The Salvation Army. It has perspectives on a number of subjects, including the nature of the Church, divine revelation, social justice, salvation, sanctification and theology and forms of mission.

Working Together in Mission: Witness, Education and Service - A downloadable report of the 2009/2011 Salvation Army - World Methodist Council Dialogue. With dialogue revolving around themes such as mission and evangelism, education and Christian witness, the participants discovered many commonalities in history, theology, and practice as well as important distinct gifts that the two bodies offer to each other.

Recommended Reading

Called To Be God's People (Robert Street, 1999) The report from the International Spiritual Life Commission, which re-examined The Salvation Army's public and private expressions of worship and faith. Free download

Community in Mission (Phil Needham, 2016) Written primarily to give Salvationists a vision of the missionary future into which their Lord is leading them, this book also serves as a basis for theological reflection by others upon the Salvationist movement and as a perspective on ecclesiology as a whole. (free download of the original 1987 book: Community in Mission: A Salvationist Ecclesiology)

Founding Vision for a Future Army (Alan Burns, 2014) In examining both the 'charisms' - the gifts and graces given by the Holy Spirit - of the early Salvationists, and the current situation of the movement, Alan Burns applies fresh thinking and suggests new strategies for future growth and spiritual revival.

In the Master's Hands: Each Life Sacramental (Robert Street, 2016) Produced for Salvationists and non-Salvationists alike, this book and DVD convey what the Army sees as essential or not so essential in its Christian faith and practice.

Like a Mighty Army?: The Salvation Army, the Church, and the Churches(David W Taylor, 2015) In his foreword John H.Y. Briggs says this is 'essential reading for all Salvationists seeking to deepen their understanding of their churchmanship and for all the Army's ecumenical partners, intent on understanding its ecclesial self-understanding, and deepening ecumenical partnership.'

The Sacramental Journey of The Salvation Army (R David Rightmire, 2016) Rightmire reveals the theology, context and controversy surrounding William Booth's 1883 decision to forgo traditional Christian sacramental practices within his Salvation Army. The book investigates the theological roots and practical dimensions of this decision, and explores its effects within The Salvation Army up to the present day.

The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine (The Salvation Army International Headquarters, 2010) This is the latest in a long line of handbooks (the first was in 1881) outlining The Salvation Army’s doctrinal beliefs. It has a study guide and study notes covering the Army’s essential characteristics, its position concerning Christian sacraments, spiritual gifts and how The Salvation Army relates to the wider Church.

The Salvation Army Year Book 2017 (The Salvation Army International Headquarters, 2017)This book is filled with historical information, statistics, reports, lists and areas of service. It covers the work of the Army in 128 countries.